Been MIA for a bit here.

Jean - we do enjoy arts and museums, so your suggestions are really great. I do remember going to Santa Croce Basilica and it was close at that time. I am now excited to see it. Yes, we will take day trips and we are still figuring out what everyone would like to do. Thanks again for your great suggestions.

Fiesole is a beautiful little hill town overlooking Firenze. You can take a local Firenze autobus there, the bus trip is enchanting, looking at villas and vinyards. Once there there are several roman sites to explore, restaurants. Catch a bus back down to Firenze every half hour or so from the square you arrived at.

We also took the hike up the hillside gardens at the Palazzo. At the top is a china museum, and a great view over Firenze. It will take a bit of time, but if you want to get out of the fray of the city, it's a nice area to escape to. Pick a cooler day to do it.
According to my Italian teacher, Lucca is charming. You can arrange bus trips to any of these close towns at one of the two regional bus companies who have offices near the main train station.

In Sorrento, I would highly recomend taking a bus trip from the train station towards any town south, then reserving a ferry trip back to Sorrento in the late afternoon. The coastline is stunning from the water, and refreshing. Get a seat on the starboard, right, side of the ferry, for best views. Reserve in the morning when you get to the town, so you're assured of a place. This beats the bus trip back north, as they are crammed. Ah, you are so lucky!

From Florence, assuming you won't have a car, you can visit Siena via bus quite easily. Also consider hiring a driver to take the family into the countryside. If you are open to that then the number of tours/places to consider are endless.

Spend a day or two just "seeing" Florence. Some of the best days my wife and I have had were just wandering around with no specific target or goal, enjoying the feel of a place and it's people. Eat well and often.

I think you're family is going to have a great trip.

I agree with uflecku's comment about 'seeing' Florence. If you've already hit the main sights, you have the luxury of just exploring the city.

Here are a few things we've enjoyed beyond the usual Top 10 lists:

Palazzo Medici Riccardi
http://www.palazzo-medici.it/eng/home.htm

Opificio delle Pietre Dure
http://www.museumsinflorence.com/mus...etre_dure.html

Palazzo Davanzati [make reservation to tour upper floors]
http://en.firenze-online.com/visit/i...ence.php?id=20
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en...hp?m=davanzati


Does anyone know if the Kaffeehaus in Boboli Gardens ever re-opened?

take the train to orvieto. or rent a car and do the hill towns in tuscany..

Since you are visiting Santa Croce you might enjoy a visit to the Leather School in the back. www.scuoladelcuoio.com.

Should you find yourself on art and sculpture overload you may find the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy an interesting change of pace.

Lastly, although I have not visited yet (on my list of to do's) The Archeological Museum is supposed to be quite good, check out this link: http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/allt...ogical-museum/